UNESCO Global Geoparks Council proposes 11 new sites, with Cuba, Ethiopia and Namibia set for their first

6 November 2026

The UNESCO Global Geoparks Council has put forward eleven places to be added to the global network of geoparks. The Council took the decision at its eleventh statutory meeting, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from 2 to 4 November. The eleven sites lie in nine countries, and one of them, Cross Channel - Transmanche, is shared between France and the United Kingdom. The others are Bojonegoro in Indonesia, Cabox and Niagara in Canada, Central Ethiopia Rift Valley in Ethiopia, Charnwood Forest in the United Kingdom, Khon Kaen in Thailand, La Hague in France, Nama-!Garib in Namibia, Pillanmapu in Chile and Vinales in Cuba. For Cuba, Ethiopia and Namibia these would be their first geoparks in the network. The network at present holds 241 geoparks across 51 countries. The Council only recommends; the final decision rests with UNESCO's Executive Board, which will take up the nominations at its spring 2027 session.